Chapter IX -

APOV

"Ana! Wake up! Come on!" I heard Kate's desperate voice while banging on my door. I try to open my eyes, but it is so heavy. Ow! My head hurts so much as if it will be removed from my neck if I try to lift it up one more time. I'm so wasted. I barely remember what happened last night. "Ana! We're living in a few minutes. Do you want us to take you home or I just call one of your goons?", I rolled my eyes and flop my head on the pillow. Hold your horses, Kavanaugh!

"Give me 5 minutes!", I shouted irritatingly. Ugh! I really wanted to stay in my bed and just let my friends go. We've had so much fun last night. Tequila shots there and then. If Kate or the securities wasn't there, I will finally wake up in somebody's bed. Few kisses from some hottie that I couldn't take home. I grin, remembering how hot that was. I suddenly feel thirsty and have dry coughs. I don't have a choice but to get out. I badly needed a glass of cold water. No! Make it two! Yep, two! Wild Ana is definitely bone-tired in her seat! I don't care what do I look like in the morning. Messy hair and all! So, what! It's not like I have a boyfriend I should be conscious of.

"Goood Mooorning girlfriend!", Mia greets me happily while sipping her coffee. Sounds like everybody is happy this morning. Her boyfriend came out of the bathroom looking fresh. I forgot his name. I gulp the water from pitcher before responding to Mia.

"Good morning Miaaa", I say lazily while fixing my messy hair. At least make it a little more presentable. I heard a muffling noise behind me as I make myself comfortable on the sofa.

"Finally! You're awake!", Kate is walking in front of me while looking at her phone. Damn! Am I the only one who got so drunk last night? Why are they so alive?

"Ana, I need to leave early. I have a conference call I need to attend. I already called your driver," Kate speaking to me so fast that I just want to close my eyes. "What is his name again? - Oh! Pablo? Yeah"

"Carlos, that's the name of my new driver", I internally roll my eyes. Kate is very terrible with names!

"Oh yeah! Sorry. Well, anyway - Damn! Why do you have to be so gorgeous in the morning Steele?", Kate's side comments distracted me. Yeah! I will never hear the end of this.

"I bet it's the hottie from the bar! See! Few french kissing will not make you pregnant girlfriend!", Mia giggles as if I don't know that. Damn her games! Haha Well, I can't be mad at Mia. She's so fun to be with. She's like a little sister, though she's slightly annoying. I lost in the truth or dare game, but I feel like I won. Honestly, I never thought that I will kiss a guy. For someone like me that is very inexperienced, it's nice to explore my adult life. I suddenly remember my first kiss experience. That was definitely not romantic. It terrified me to do the dare because I remember the rapist from Detroit. Oh yeah! Speaking of. I'll do a follow-up on that. I still have received no update from the police if they got any lead.

"Did you get the guy's name? He's been looking at you all night and sending the tequila at our table."

I just look at Kate and feel the heat in my cheeks. Shit! I forgot to ask. We're on the dance floor as soon as we part our lips. Yes, guys who want you drank have wicked plans. Drunk and wild, Ana is a very dangerous combination. His tequila is the reason for my damn hangover!

"Damn! My best friend is a whore!", Kate is failing miserably not to laugh. "Gotta go sweetie! Be sure to call me when we have another client!", I laughed at her motherly tone. "Yes, mum!", I laugh and kiss her on the cheek. She walks to Mia and kiss her cheek as well while saying her goodbyes. "Bye Mia, please tell Elliot to call me when you are all back in Seattle."

"Kay, take care Katie". Kate winks at her while she's talking again to someone from her phone. Her job is very demanding. When Kate left, I notice that Elliot is not with her.

"Where's Elliot Mia?"

"He's not up yet. Probably as wasted as you. Well, I'll just make us lunch before we leave. It's almost 1 pm." Whaaaaa-at! I fully lie on the sofa, realizing that I wasted another day of my life. As if I can make any sense in my state right now. The ceiling is rotating. I'm dizzy and can't hold my eyes open. At least I have to thank Mia for the lunch.

"Thanks, Mia! You're so sweet. " I slowly close my eyes while I see her smile. She's kind and not some spoiled brat I thought she would be.

I woke up at around 7pm. All the lights are off with just the dim lights in the kitchen. I feel so well rested from sleeping all day. Tsk! Tsk! Ana. Ana. Ana. I heard my phone vibrating and grab it from the lampstand behind the sofa. "Yes?, Tell Arthur, I'll be down in an hour."

I take a deep breath and suddenly remember that I was just taking a nap while Mia was cooking. But it seems I doze off and I do not know when they left. I started scrolling through my phone and I read their text messages that they already left and can't wake me up. Yeah! I can sleep forever.

Thanks for last night, Ana! That was nice. See you soon. – Mia

Hey sleepyhead! Call me! – Kate

That was 2 pm.

Ana! Are you still sleeping? Gosh! – Kate

That was 4 pm. What's up with Kate?

What the hell! Why do I just learn now from Ethan that you'll gonna buy SIP? – Kate

That was 4:30. So that's why Kate is pestering me. Jeez! Ugh! I didn't bother to read all her text messages. She's just curious about my plans. I mean, she knows my plans, but she did not know that it will be now. I saw an email from Ethan and an invitation from SIP. This is it! A smile spread across my face. I can feel it! This is the chance I've been waiting for, and it's within my reach. Close the deal with SIP Ana or you'll forever be in your grandpa's world. When I asked Ethan earlier this year to read my terms and condition regarding the buying of SIP, he's very shocked. He just didn't think that I'll go this far given the responsibility that my grandpa leaves on my shoulder. I assure him I'm very sure that this is what I want to pursue. I have the money, so why not use it to my advantage to have my business. Now that everything is set up in my place, I just need the SIP to agree with my terms.

I get up and see that Mia left me some food and medicine for my hangover. And for that, I'm very grateful to her. I must eat before leaving the hotel. It's nice to have a peaceful night before the chaos starts. Last night was a blast! I invited my friends to come over and visit some clubs in Portland because I need something to keep my mind off while Ethan is finishing my demands. I've been preparing for this for over a year, and I don't want everything to go to waste. I'm ready to be a businesswoman myself and last night was the mark that I'm over with my happy-go-lucky attitude of mine. I need to do some serious stuff. I laughed at myself, remembering what I did last night. Yeah! Serious, my ass! This is Mia and Kate's fault.

My eyes fall on the golden envelope lying in front of me at the kitchen table. It has a black mask design on top of it. I open and see an invitation for a charity named Coping Together. Then I see a note from Mia attached to it.

Ana,

I wanted to invite you personally.

Having you at our party will be a great honor. Please! Pretty Please!

That was a very generous donation. Please don't be mad at Elliot.

Hope to see you soon.

Xoxo. Mia

I inwardly rolled my eyes, remembering Elliot. Kate said that he slips my name during their family dinner last Sunday, which made Mia a pain in the ass. Mia got very curious since most of the Seattle Elites were donated to expand their social circle. I always donate anonymously or making it not a big deal to the public. I don't even do interviews to avoid this topic as if I'm a Saint they need to praise. I just do it on my own terms. Elliot invites me every year ever since Kate and he are together to attend one of these. I always decline since I'm too busy with my charity in Europe and Asia. During the three years, I donated generously enough to stop Elliot from pestering me. Aside from the fact that it was because of his baby brother named -. Heck! What's his name again? I forgot. I don't even bother to look it up online. Elliot said that their parents set this charity for him. When I heard his story from Elliot, I feel sad. It's very depressing at the same time I'm awed at how he copes up during his hard time. No child should experience that ever! I've heard different stories from all over the world tragic than his, so I really hate people romanticizing over it. Anyway! Mia pops out last night and Elliot told me everything. He can't do anything about her relentless sister, so I just invited her over. It went well; I guess. But I'll think about attending the party since I'll be engrossed in studying my business with SIP for the next few days.

Thanks for the review and all! All the errors are mine.

I'm still thinking about if Ana will go to the party or just focus on building her business. LOL Should we make her go or not? Nah.